The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Maxim Jakubowski

Author:Maxim Jakubowski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mango Media
Published: 2021-06-13T16:00:00+00:00

The Case of the Waterguard

By Jan Edwards

There had been little chance to approach Mr. Holmes in the hurly-burly of packing. For a man who claimed not to care about the past, he was mightily attached to all of the knick-knacks and gee-gaws picked up in his years as a consulting detective; and as he kept reminding us, his intention of writing on the science and logic of crime would require reference material. Finally, however, as evening came around, some sort of quiet returned to Baker Street.

I waited until Mrs. Hudson had served supper and the maid was clearing away before I approached Mr. Holmes for his advice.

He puffed at his pipe and regarded me carefully. “So, young Billy, what is this burden you are carrying?”

“Me, sir?”

“Yes, you. You have been distracted all afternoon. I assume it has something to do with the letter in your pocket?”

My hand strayed to the envelope without thinking. “How did—”

“I can detect the outline quite clearly. You’ve developed brawn, as a young man should, but your button-boy livery was sewn for a stripling.” He beckoned with his fingers. “Hand it over.”

I did so, hardly daring to breathe, and pondered on the fact that I would be the last in a long line of people who had sat or stood in this very room waiting for the judgement of Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as he read.

Dear Billy.

I’ve no easy way to say this so I’ll be quick. Your old dad’s banged up in Lewes Gaol. Murdered a waterguard from the Customs Service, so they say, though he swears he never done it. We knows you don’t owe Caleb nothing. The Lord knows he’s not been any kind of father, but I heard your Mr. Holmes is going down that way soon, and if he can’t help then your pa’ll be dancing on a rope come the new year.

I haven’t told your grandma as I think it’ll finish her off. If you can you find it in your heart to ask Mr. Holmes, at the very least the Good Lord will bless you for all your days.

In hope.

Your loving aunt,

Violet Thomkins

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.